Six of the most memorable games at Texas A&M's Kyle Field

Kyle Field is one of the most unusual stadiums in college football. From the ghosts of Reveilles past (mascots who are buried there) to the tradition of standing all game, the “12th Man” makes every game in College Station special. But a few were unforgettable.

As the Aggie get ready to host Alabama in one of the most anticipated games on campus, here are six of the most memorable games in the history of Kyle Field.

The Bonfire Game

Texas A&M 20, Texas 16

Nov. 26, 1999

The Aggies faced horrendous tragedy and incredible healing all in an eight-day span in 1999.

On Nov. 19 at about 3 a.m., the almost 60-foot-high stack of wood that was to provide the bonfire for the annual “beat t.u.” rally collapsed during construction. Twelve people died and 27 were injured. The campus was racked with grief as the Aggies honored their classmates while one of the great university of traditions came under scrutiny.

The additional media interest created an odd tension, but the game allowed the community to pull together. Hosting Texas on Nov. 26, the Aggies were both solemn and determined. In addition to maroon balloons, the Aggies released 12 white doves before the game to symbolize the fallen.

Texas grabbed a 16-6 lead at halftime behind freshman quarterback Chris Simms, but nothing could dampen the spirit of brotherhood between the schools as their bands performed “Amazing Grace” together.

The Aggies defense led a strong comeback in the second half, and running back Ja’Mar Toombs finished with 126 yards rushing to help A&M grab a 20-16 upset win. Many Aggies fans still call it the most emotional win in school history.

Battle for SWC Title

Texas A&M 42, Texas 10

Nov. 28, 1985

For the first time since 1943, the Aggies and Texas met with the conference title on the line, and College Station was buzzing. A&M had given Jackie Sherrill a staggering $267,000 salary to lure him from Pittsburgh four years earlier, and he had yet to produce a bowl trip.

But when the 8-2 Aggies took the field on Thanksgiving, a berth in the Cotton Bowl was on the line, and the team responded.

Texas seemed to have control as it marched to a first down on the 4-yard line, but A&M held on a goal-line stand, and that seemed to take the wind out of the Longhorns. “I think they lost their confidence then,” Aggies linebacker Johnny Holland said.

A&M then rolled to a 28-0 lead. The 1-2 running back punch of Anthony Toney and Roger Vick did most of the damage, as Vick tallied 92 yards on 19 carries and Toney added 79 yards on 21 carries.

Toney said the offense was allowed plenty of chances. “It was our defense that won the game,” he said. “Texas couldn’t do anything against our defense tonight. We missed a few scoring opportunities, but the defense just kept giving them to us.”

All in all, it was a sweet night for the Aggies, who would go on to beat Auburn in the Cotton Bowl, 36-16, and finish 11th in the rankings at 10-2.

Game of the Decade

Texas A&M 31, Baylor 30

Oct. 18, 1986

Called the best game of the 1980s in the SWC by Texas Football Magazine, this win had a great comeback and several big names on both sides of the line of scrimmage. While the quarterback battle between Kevin Murray (A&M) and Cody Carlson (Baylor) was impressive, many walked away from this game talking about the great defenses.

Down 14-0 in the first half, the Aggies made a goal-line stand to keep the damage down. In addition, the Aggies had to twice stop Baylor at the end of the game to protect a 31-30 lead.

Still, this was the crowning jewel of Murray’s career. He finished with 308 yards passing and was elusive scrambling away from the Baylor blitz.

Aggies coach Jackie Sherrill called it “the greatest game I’ve ever seen a quarterback play,” while Baylor coach Grant Teaff said Murray’s calm in leading a 16-play, 80-yard drive for the winning score with 3:48 remaining was hard to believe against a great Baylor defense led by Thomas Everett and Ray Crockett. On the 5-yard toss to Tony Thompson for the winning TD, Murray had Baylor’s Robert Watters draped all over him.

Baylor would go on to finish 9-3.

A&M Stakes Its Claim

Texas A&M 20, Texas 10

Nov. 28, 1975

At the time, it was the most anticipated game in the history of the rivalry. No. 2 A&M was undefeated, while No. 5 Texas had lost only to Oklahoma. At a time when the SWC was king, this game was expected to play a hand in the national championship.

The Aggies were led by coach Emory Bellard, and his Wishbone was a balanced attack. The trio of George Woodard, Bubba Bean and Skip Walker helped grind the ball upfield, and the Aggies defense took care of the rest against a Longhorns team led by sophomore running back Earl Campbell.

The Aggies defense was stifling, with Texas’ only touchdown scoring on a punt return. The game helped A&M produce three All-Americans on defense: linebacker Ed Simonini, linebacker Garth TenNaple and defensive back Pat Thomas.

Bean, who set the school rushing record that season, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated after the game with the title, “Texas A&M Stakes its Claim.” However, the Aggies would go on to lose to Arkansas, 31-6, in the season finale and then lose to Southern Cal, 20-0, in the Liberty Bowl. It was a disappointing end, but for one week they were on top of the world.

The Maroon Out

Texas A&M 28, Nebraska 21

Oct. 10, 1998

As if all of the traditions of Kyle Field weren’t enough, fans added another in 1998.

With defending national champion Nebraska coming to College Station riding a 19-game unbeaten streak, Aggies fans all wore maroon for the game. T-shirts were printed up, and the first “Maroon Out” game greeted the Cornhuskers, who came in ranked No. 2 in the nation at 5-0.

Once again, the Aggies defense proved solid, holding Nebraska QB Bobby Newcombe in check and picking him off with 52 seconds remaining to seal the win. On offense, Dante Hall (113 yards on 32 carries) and Ja’Mar Toombs (110 yards on 10 carries) allowed the Aggies to control the ball.

The game was big for a lot of reasons. Nebraska had not lost a regular-season conference game in its last 40, and the Cornhuskers had crushed A&M the previous season in the Big 12 championship game, 54-15. The A&M win was a huge step for the South Division, and the Aggies went on to defeat North representative Kansas State in the championship that season.

Even at the time, the significance of the victory against Nebraska was clear to coach R.C. Slocum.

“No question about it, this was the biggest win of my career,” Slocum said. “This win is great for what it does. It makes us 2-0 in the conference, and we beat a team that has done what no one else in college football has done. It is more meaningful because we did it against a legitimate team like Nebraska.”

McNeal’s Big Debut

Texas A&M 30, Oklahoma 26

Nov. 9, 2002

A decade before Aggies fan had heard of Johnny Manziel, another freshman quarterback turned Kyle Field upside down. Reggie McNeal came off the bench and led A&M to a 30-26 upset over No. 1 Oklahoma at a time when the Aggies needed a little sunshine.

Dustin Long was struggling against the Sooner defense and had completed just three of nine passes for 28 yards and an interception, so head coach R.C. Slocum and offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin decided to go with McNeal.

The unproven freshman came in and hit Terrence Murphy on a 71-yard TD pass, and that seemed to relax everyone. He and Murphy connected on five passes for 128 yards, and McNeal finished with four TD passes. He also scrambled for 89 yards rushing.

In the end, the day was more significant for OU (12-2 and No. 8 in the country) than it was for the Aggies, who finished 6-6 in Slocum’s final season.

Hosting No. 1

Alabama will be the sixth team to come to Kyle
Field ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. Texas A&M went 1-4 in the
previous matchups:

Year, Opp., Result

1963, Texas, UT 15, A&M 13

1969, Texas, UT 49, A&M 12

1977, Texas, UT 57, No. 12 A&M 28

2000, Okla., OU 35, No. 23 A&M 31

2002, Okla., A&M 30, OU 26

Note: Overall, the Aggies have faced the nation’s No. 1 team 12 times and are 2-10 in those games. However, A&M has won two of the last three.

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